VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY INC [VSH] Filings

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

☒  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

or

For the transition period from _______ to _______

Commission file number 1-7416

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

63 Lancaster Avenue

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355-2143

(Address of principal executive offices)

(610) 644-1300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023

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MOSFETs: Infineon, ON Semiconductor, Renesas, STMicroelectronics, Toshiba.

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Diodes: Diodes Inc., Nexperia, ON Semiconductor, Rohm, STMicroelectronics.

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Optoelectronic Components: Broadcom, ON Semiconductor, Renesas, Toshiba.

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Resistors: Bourns, KOA, Murata, Panasonic, Rohm, TDK-EPCOS, Yageo.

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Inductors: Bourns, Cyntec, Murata, Panasonic, Taiyo Yuden, TDK-EPCOS, Yageo.

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Capacitors: Kyocera, Murata, Nichicon, Panasonic, Taiyo Yuden, TDK-EPCOS, Yageo.

United States			2,400
People’s Republic of China			7,300
Germany			2,300
Israel			2,300
Taiwan			2,000
Czech Republic			1,200
India			1,000
Other Europe			1,600
Other Americas			1,500
Other Asia			1,900
Total			23,500

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Corporate Governance Principles

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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

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Code of Ethics for Financial Officers

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Audit Committee Charter

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter

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Compensation Committee Charter

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Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines

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Director Stock Ownership Guidelines

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Clawback Policy

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Hedging-Pledging Policy

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Policy Regarding Qualifications of Directors

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Related Party Transactions Policy

From time to time, information provided by us, including but not limited to statements in this report, or other statements made by or on our behalf, may contain “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated. Set forth below are important factors that could cause our results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider the following to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties.

Risks relating to our business

The electronic component industry is highly cyclical and experiences periods of decline from time to time. We and others in the electronic components industry have experienced these conditions in the recent past and cannot predict when we may experience downturns in the future.  Market conditions, such as during a decline in product demand on a global basis, could result in order cancellations and deferrals, lower average selling prices, and a material and adverse impact on our results of operations. These declines in demand are usually driven by market conditions in the end markets for our products, but may also result from distributors not appropriately managing their inventory levels.

We may also experience intense demand for our products in periods of a rising economy and we may have difficulty expanding our manufacturing capacity to satisfy demand during such periods.  Factors which could limit such expansion include delays in procurement of manufacturing equipment, shortages of skilled personnel, and physical constraints on expansion of our facilities.

Changes in the demand mix, needed technologies, and these end markets may adversely affect our ability to match our products, inventory, and capacity to meet customer demand and could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.  A slowdown in demand or recessionary trends in the global economy makes it more difficult for us to predict our future sales and manage our operations, and could adversely impact our results of operations. Capacity that we add during upturns in the business cycle may result in excess capacity during periods when demand for our products recede, resulting in inefficient use of capital which could also adversely affect us.

A downturn in our business in general, or isolated to a particular sector, could require us to incur restructuring and severance charges and/or asset write-downs.

Our long-term historical growth in revenues and net earnings has resulted in large part from our strategy of expansion through acquisitions.  Despite our plan to continue to grow, in part, through targeted acquisitions, we may be unable to continue to identify, have the financial capabilities to acquire, or successfully complete transactions with suitable acquisition candidates. The rapid consolidation that our industry has experienced may further decrease our ability to identify attractive opportunities for acquisition.  We are subject to various U.S. and foreign competition laws and regulations that may affect our ability to complete certain acquisitions. Also, if an acquired business fails to operate as anticipated, cannot be successfully integrated with our other businesses, or we cannot effectively mitigate the assumed, contingent, and unknown liabilities acquired, our results of operations, financial condition, enterprise value, market value, and prospects could all be materially adversely affected.

Our future operating results are dependent on our ability to continually develop, introduce, and market new and innovative products, to modify existing products, to respond to technological change, and to customize certain products to meet customer requirements. There are numerous risks inherent in this process, including the risks that we will be unable to anticipate the direction of technological change or that we will be unable to develop and market new products and applications in a timely fashion to satisfy customer demands. If this occurs, we could lose customers and experience adverse effects on our financial condition and results of operations.

In addition to our own research and development initiatives, we periodically invest in technology start-up enterprises, in which we may acquire a controlling or noncontrolling interest but whose technology would be available to be commercialized by us. There are numerous risks in investments of this nature including the limited operating history of such start-up entities, their need for capital, and their limited or absence of production experience, as well as the risk that their technologies may prove ineffective or fail to gain acceptance in the marketplace. Certain of our historical investments in start-up companies have not succeeded, and there can be no assurance that our current and future investments in start-up enterprises will prove successful.

The production and sale of our products is reliant on a complex global interconnected supply chain of vendors, manufacturing facilities, third-party foundries and subcontractors, shipping partners, distributors, and end market customers.  Disruption in one part of the supply chain could cause disruption in all other parts of the supply chain.  Global shipping impacts several parts of the supply chain and the disruptions experienced in recent years have, at times, negatively impacted our ability to manufacture products and to deliver them to customers.

Although most materials incorporated into our products are available from a number of sources, certain materials, including plastics and metals, are produced in only a limited number of regions around the world or are available from only a limited number of suppliers.  Suppliers periodically extend lead times, face capacity constraints, limit supplies, increase prices, experience quality issues, or encounter cybersecurity or other issues that can interrupt or increase the cost of our supply. The unavailability or reduced availability of these materials could require us to temporarily cease or reduce production or incur additional costs.

Customer requirements and certain laws pertaining to the responsible sourcing of materials, including tantalum, tungsten, tin, gold, and cobalt, all of which are used in the Company’s products, are increasing and becoming more stringent.  Responsible sourcing efforts may result in increased prices and decreased availability of these materials.

Many of the metals used in the manufacture of our products, including gold, copper, and palladium, are traded on active markets and can be subject to significant price volatility.  To ensure adequate supply and to provide cost certainty, our policy is to enter into short-term commitments to purchase defined portions of annual consumption of the raw materials utilized if market prices decline below budget.  In certain circumstances, we purchase precious metals bullion in excess of our immediate manufacturing needs to mitigate the risk of supply shortages or volatile price fluctuations.  If after entering into these commitments or purchasing the metals bullion, the market prices for these raw materials decline, we must recognize losses on these adverse purchase commitments and metals bullion purchases.

Our production can be disrupted by the unavailability of resources, such as water, energy, and gases.  The unavailability or reduced availability of these resources could require us to reduce production or incur additional costs.

We use third-party foundries and subcontractors for certain of our manufacturing activities, primarily wafer fabrication and the assembly and testing of finished goods.  Establishing third-party contract manufacturer relationships can be time consuming and costly, and the number of qualified providers is limited. Our agreements with these manufacturers typically require us to commit to purchase services based on forecasted product needs, which may be inaccurate, and, in some cases, require us to recognize losses on these adverse purchase commitments.  Our agreements may limit our ability to increase production, particularly during periods of growing demand for our products.

Due to our global supply chain, we are impacted by global trade disputes.  The governments of the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China remain in a trade dispute that has resulted in tariffs and other trade restrictions including import / export prohibitions.  Disruptions to global trade could result in customers seeking different sources of product or requiring us to seek different sources of supply.  New or revised trade agreements could require changes in operations in the long-term. 

We remain cognizant of these supply chain challenges and seek to minimize their effects whenever possible.  Despite our best efforts, there can be no assurances we will be successful in mitigating these risks and if we are unable to do so, they may have material negative impacts on our business and results of operations.

Protection of intellectual property often involves complex legal and factual issues. We will be able to protect our proprietary rights from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that our proprietary technologies are covered by valid and enforceable patents or are effectively maintained as trade secrets. We have applied, and will continue to apply, for patents covering our technologies and products, as we deem appropriate. However, our applications may not result in issued patents. Also, our existing patents and any future patents may not be sufficiently broad to prevent others from practicing our technologies or from developing competing products. Others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies, design around our patented technologies, or may challenge or seek to invalidate our patents. Also, the legal system in certain countries in which we operate may not provide or may not continue to provide sufficient, intellectual property legal protections and remedies.

Litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights is prevalent in the electronic components industry, particularly the discrete semiconductor sector. We have on occasion been notified that we may be infringing on patent and other intellectual property rights of others. In addition, customers purchasing components from us have rights to indemnification under certain circumstances if such components violate the intellectual property rights of others. Further, we have observed that in the current business environment, electronic component and semiconductor companies have become more aggressive in asserting and defending patent claims against competitors.  We will continue to vigorously defend our intellectual property rights, and may become party to disputes regarding patent licensing and cross patent licensing. Although licenses are generally offered in such situations and we have successfully resolved these situations in the past, there can be no assurance that we will not be subject to future litigation alleging intellectual property rights infringement, or that we will be able to obtain licenses on acceptable terms. An unfavorable outcome regarding one of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our business is highly competitive worldwide, with low transportation costs and few import barriers. We compete principally on the bases of product quality and reliability, availability, customer service, technological innovation, timely delivery, and price. Our ability to compete successfully also depends on elements out of our control.  We face significant competition within each of our product segments from larger global manufacturers and smaller manufacturers focused on specific market niches.  The electronic component industry has become increasingly concentrated and globalized in recent years as many of our primary competitors have been acquired.  The acquiring companies, most of which are larger than us, have significant financial resources and technological capabilities.

Many of the orders that comprise our backlog may be canceled by our customers without penalty. Our customers may on occasion double and triple order components from multiple sources to ensure timely delivery when demand exceeds global supply. They often cancel orders when business is weak and inventories are excessive. Therefore, we cannot be certain that the amount of our backlog accurately reflects the level of orders that we will ultimately deliver. Our results of operations could be adversely impacted if customers cancel a material portion of orders in our backlog.

Rapid changes in technologies, frequent new product introductions, and declining average selling prices over product life cycles require us to attract and retain highly qualified personnel to develop and manufacture products that feature technological innovations and bring them to market on a timely basis.  Our complex operations also require us to attract and retain highly qualified administrative personnel in functions such as legal, tax, accounting, financial reporting, auditing, and treasury.  The market for personnel with such qualifications is highly competitive.  While we have employment agreements with certain of our executives, we have not entered into employment agreements with all of our key personnel.

The loss of the services of or the failure to effectively recruit qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of our borrowing activities and our cash balances. Our credit facility bears interest at variable rates based on Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") and other currency-specific reference rates.  A significant increase in such reference rates would significantly increase our interest expense. A general increase in interest rates would be largely offset by an increase in interest income earned on our cash and short-term investment balances, which are currently greater than our debt balances. However, there can be no assurance that the interest rate earned on cash and short-term investments will move in tandem with the interest rate paid on our variable rate debt.

We rely on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of complex information technology systems and networks to operate our business. We are exposed to, and may be adversely affected by, potential cyberattacks or other disruptions to our information technology systems and data security.  Any significant system or network disruption, including, but not limited to, new system implementations, computer viruses, security breaches, phishing, spoofing, cyberattacks, facility issues or energy blackouts could have a material adverse impact on our operations and results of operations.  These incidents, which might be related to industrial or other espionage, include covertly introducing malware and spyware to our computers and networks (or to an electronic system operated by a third party for our benefit) and impersonating authorized users, among others.  Such a network disruption could result in a loss of the confidentiality of our intellectual property or the release of sensitive competitive information or customer, supplier or employee personal data. Any loss of such information could harm our competitive position, result in a loss of customer confidence, and cause us to incur significant costs to remedy the damages caused by the disruptions or security breaches. We have implemented protective measures to prevent against and limit the effects of system or network disruptions, but there can be no assurance that such measures will be sufficient to prevent or limit the damage from any disruptions and any such disruption could have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

Third-party service providers, such as foundries, subcontractors, distributors, and vendors have access to certain portions of our sensitive data. In the event that these service providers do not properly safeguard our data that they hold, security breaches and loss of our data could result.  Any such loss of data by our third-party service providers could have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

If we were to undertake a substantial acquisition for cash, the acquisition would likely need to be financed in part through bank borrowings or the issuance of public or private debt. This acquisition financing would likely decrease our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and adversely affect other leverage criteria. Under our credit facility, we are required to obtain the lenders’ consent for certain additional debt financing and to comply with other covenants including the application of specific financial ratios. We cannot make any assurances that the necessary acquisition financing would be available to us on acceptable terms if and when required. If we were to undertake an acquisition for equity, the acquisition may have a dilutive effect on the interests of the holders of our common stock.

Regulatory and compliance related risks

Our operations, products and/or product packaging are subject to, among other matters, environmental laws and regulations governing, among other matters, air emissions, wastewater discharges, the handling, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances, wastes and certain chemicals used or generated in our manufacturing processes, employee health and safety labeling or other notifications with respect to the content or other aspects of our processes, products or packaging, restrictions on the use of certain materials in or on design aspects of our products or product packaging, and responsibility for disposal of products or product packaging. We establish reserves for specifically identified potential environmental liabilities. Nevertheless, we have in the past and may in the future inherit certain pre-existing environmental liabilities, generally based on successor liability doctrines, or otherwise incur environmental liabilities. We are involved in remediation programs and related litigation at various current and former properties and at third-party disposal sites both within and outside of the United States, including involvement as a potentially responsible party at Superfund sites. Although we have never been involved in any environmental matter that has had a material adverse impact on our overall operations, there can be no assurance that in connection with any past or future acquisition, future developments, including related to our remediation programs, or otherwise, we will not be obligated to address environmental matters that could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. In addition, more stringent environmental laws and regulations may be enacted in the future, and we cannot presently determine the modifications, if any, in our operations that any such future regulations might require, or the cost of compliance with current and future laws and regulations. In order to resolve liabilities at various sites, we have entered into various administrative orders and consent decrees, some of which may be, under certain conditions, reopened or subject to renegotiation.

We sell products under prime and subprime contracts with the U.S. government and other governments. Many of these products are used in military applications. Government contractors must comply with specific procurement regulations and other requirements. These requirements, although customary in government contracts, impact our performance and compliance costs.  Failure to comply with these regulations and requirements could result in contract modifications or termination, and the assessment of penalties and fines, which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition. Our failure to comply with these regulations and requirements could also lead to suspension or debarment, for cause, from government contracting or subcontracting for a period of time. Among the causes for debarment are violations of various statutes, including those related to procurement integrity, export control, government security regulations, employment practices, protection of the environment, accuracy of records and the recording of costs, and foreign corruption. The termination of a government contract as a result of any of these acts could have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition and could have a negative impact on our reputation and ability to procure other government contracts in the future.

We have qualified certain of our products under various military specifications approved and monitored by the United States Defense Electronic Supply Center and under certain European military specifications. These products are assigned certain classification levels. In order to maintain the classification level of a product, we must continuously perform tests on the products and the results of these tests must be reported to governmental agencies. If a product fails to meet the requirements of the applicable classification level, its classification may be reduced to a lower level. A decrease in the classification level for a product with a military application could have an adverse impact on the net revenues and earnings attributable to that product.

Our credit facility includes restrictions on, among other things, incurring indebtedness, incurring liens on assets, making investments and acquisitions, making asset sales, and paying cash dividends and making other restricted payments. Our credit facility also requires us to comply with other covenants, including the maintenance of specific financial ratios. If we are not in compliance with all of such covenants, the credit facility could be terminated by the lenders, and all amounts outstanding pursuant to the credit facility could become immediately payable. Additionally, our convertible debt instruments have cross-default provisions that could accelerate repayment in the event the indebtedness under the credit facility is accelerated.

Risks associated with our operations outside the United States

We have substantial operations outside the United States, and approximately 74% of our revenues during 2023 were derived from sales to customers outside the United States.  Certain of our assets are located, and certain of our products are produced, in countries which are subject to risks of social, political, economic, and military instability. This instability could result in wars, riots, nationalization of industry, currency fluctuation, and labor unrest. These conditions could have an adverse impact on our ability to operate in these regions and, depending on the extent and severity of these conditions, could materially and adversely affect our overall financial condition, results of operations, and our ability to access our liquidity.

Our business has been in operation in Israel for 53 years, where we have substantial manufacturing operations. Although we have never experienced any material interruption in our operations attributable to these factors, in spite of several Middle East crises, including the current war with Hamas, our financial condition and results of operations might be adversely affected if events were to occur in the Middle East that interfered with our operations in Israel.

The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar foreign anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments or providing anything of value to improperly influence foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, or obtaining an unfair advantage. Recent years have seen a substantial increase in the global enforcement of anti-corruption laws. Our continued operation and expansion outside the United States, including in developing countries, could increase the risk of such violations or violations under other regulations relating to limitations on or licenses required for sales made to customers located in certain countries. Violations of these laws may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, could disrupt our business, and result in a material adverse effect on our reputation, business and results of operations or financial condition.

Historically, our primary labor cost controlling strategy was to transfer manufacturing operations to countries with lower production costs, such as the Dominican Republic, India, Malaysia, Mexico, the People’s Republic of China, and the Philippines. We believe that our manufacturing footprint is suitable to serve our customers and end markets, while maintaining lower manufacturing costs. We do not anticipate further transferring any significant existing operations to lower-labor-cost countries; however, acquired operations may be transferred to lower-labor-cost countries when integrated into Vishay. Currently, our primary labor cost controlling strategy involves reducing hours and limiting the use of subcontractors and foundries when demand for our products decreases. Shifting operations to lower-labor-cost countries, reducing hours, or limiting the use of subcontractors and foundries could result in production inefficiencies, higher costs, and/or strikes or other types of labor unrest.

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risks, particularly due to market values of transactions in currencies other than the functional currencies of certain subsidiaries. From time to time, we utilize forward contracts to hedge a portion of projected cash flows from these exposures.

Our significant foreign subsidiaries are located in Germany, Israel, and Asia. We finance our operations in Europe and certain locations in Asia in local currencies. Our operations in Israel and most significant locations in Asia are largely financed in U.S. dollars, but these subsidiaries also have significant transactions in local currencies. Our exposure to foreign currency risk is mitigated to the extent that the costs incurred and the revenues earned in a particular currency offset one another. Our exposure to foreign currency risk is more pronounced in situations where, for example, production labor costs are predominantly paid in local currencies while the sales revenue for those products is denominated in U.S. dollars. This is particularly the case for products produced in Israel, the Czech Republic, and China.

A change in the mix of the currencies in which we transact our business could have a material effect on results of operations. Furthermore, the timing of cash receipts and disbursements could have a material effect on our results of operations, particularly if there are significant changes in exchange rates in a short period of time.

We generate a significant amount of cash and profits from our non-U.S. subsidiaries.  As of December 31, 2023, 65.5% of our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were held by subsidiaries outside of the United States.  Our revolving credit facility provides us with additional U.S. liquidity.

U.S. tax obligations, cash dividends to stockholders, share repurchases, additional convertible debt repurchases, and principal and interest payments on our debt instruments need to be paid by our U.S. parent company, Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.  A U.S.-domiciled subsidiary is expected to be the acquiring entity of Nexperia's wafer fabrication facility and operations in Newport, South Wales, U.K.  Our U.S. subsidiaries have other operating cash needs.

If our U.S. cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment and other liquidity sources are inadequate to satisfy these obligations, we may be required to repatriate additional cash to the United States and would be required to accrue and pay additional taxes.  If we are unable to repatriate adequate cash to the United States to satisfy these obligations, it could materially and adversely affect our overall financial condition, results of operations and our liquidity.

Our business is subject to risks associated with U.S. and foreign legislation and regulations relating to imports, including quotas, duties, tariffs or taxes, and other import charges or restrictions, which could adversely affect our operations and our ability to import products. The U.S. has taken actions that impact U.S. trade with China, including restricting the export of certain goods and equipment to China, imposing tariffs on certain goods manufactured in China and imported into the U.S., including certain of our products.  Such actions may impact our competitiveness and adversely affect the demand for these products, or if those costs cannot be passed on to our customers, could adversely impact our results of operations for affected segments and the Company as a whole.  

Further changes in U.S. trade policy could trigger additional retaliatory actions by affected countries.  If these consequences are realized, it could result in a general economic downturn or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business.

We believe that many investors in, and potential purchasers of, convertible debt instruments employ, or seek to employ, a convertible arbitrage strategy with respect to these instruments. Investors that employ a convertible arbitrage strategy with respect to convertible debt instruments typically implement that strategy by selling short the common stock underlying the convertible instrument and dynamically adjusting their short position while they hold the instrument. The implementation of this strategy by investors in our convertible debt instruments, as well as related market regulatory actions, could have a significant impact on the trading prices of our common stock, and the trading prices and liquidity of our convertible debt instruments. The price of our common stock and our convertible debt instruments could also be affected by possible sales of our common stock by investors who view our convertible debt instruments as more attractive means of equity participation in us.

We are a Delaware corporation, and the anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law impose various impediments to the ability of a third party to acquire control of us, even if a change in control would be beneficial to our existing stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws also contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change in control of our company. These provisions could also make it difficult for stockholders to elect directors that are not nominated by the current members of our Board of Directors or take other corporate actions, including effecting changes in our management. These provisions include:

In addition, as a Delaware corporation, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. This statute prohibits a Delaware corporation listed on a national securities exchange from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder (generally a person who, together with its affiliates, owns or within the last three years has owned 15% or more of our voting stock subject to certain exceptions) for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. The application of Section 203 also could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us. Any of these provisions could, under certain circumstances, depress the market price of our common stock.

The ability of our board of directors or a committee thereof to create and issue a new series of preferred stock and certain provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could impede a merger, takeover attempt or other business combination involving us or discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer for our common stock, which, under certain circumstances, could reduce the market price of our common stock.

Risks related to the spin-off of the Vishay Precision Group

VPG has a worldwide, perpetual and royalty-free license from us to use the “Vishay” mark as part of its corporate name and in connection with the manufacture, sale, and marketing of the products and services that comprise its measurements and foil resistors businesses. The license of the Vishay name to VPG is important to VPG because the success of VPG depends on the reputation of the Vishay brand for these products and services built over many years.  Nonetheless, there exists the risk that the use by VPG could cause confusion in the marketplace over the products of the two companies, that any negative publicity associated with a product or service of VPG following the spin-off could be mistakenly attributed to our company or that we could lose our own rights to the “Vishay” mark if we fail to impose sufficient controls on VPG’s use of the mark.

General Risk Factors

In addition to the risks relating specifically to our business, a variety of other factors relating to general conditions could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. These factors include:

Our common stock, traded on the New York Stock Exchange, has in the past experienced, and may continue to experience, significant fluctuations in price and volume. We believe that the financial performance and activities of other publicly traded companies in the electronic component industry could cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially without regard to our operating performance.

We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new factors emerge from time to time.  Other unknown and unpredictable factors also could have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition and results of operations.

None.

At December 31, 2023, our business had 57 manufacturing locations. Our manufacturing facilities include owned and leased locations. Some locations include both owned and leased facilities in the same location. The list of manufacturing facilities below excludes former manufacturing facilities that are not presently used for manufacturing activities.

In the opinion of management, our properties and equipment generally are in good operating condition and are adequate for our present needs. Owning many of our manufacturing facilities provides us meaningful financial and operating benefits, including long-term stability and a necessary buffer for economic downturns. We do not anticipate difficulty in renewing existing leases as they expire or in finding alternative facilities.

The principal locations of our owned manufacturing facilities, along with available space including administrative offices, are as follows:

The principal locations of our leased manufacturing facilities, along with available space including administrative offices, are as follows:

From time to time we are involved in routine litigation incidental to our business. Management believes that such matters, either individually or in the aggregate, should not have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.

Intellectual Property Matters

We are engaged in discussions with various parties regarding patent licensing and cross patent licensing issues. In addition, we have observed that in the current business environment, electronic component and semiconductor companies have become more aggressive in asserting and defending patent claims against competitors.  When we believe other companies are misappropriating our intellectual property rights, we vigorously enforce those rights through legal action, and we intend to continue to do so.

Environmental Matters

Vishay is involved in environmental remediation programs at various sites currently or formerly owned by Vishay and its subsidiaries both within and outside of the U.S., in addition to involvement as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) at Superfund sites. Certain obligations as a PRP have arisen in connection with business acquisitions. The remediation programs are on-going and the ultimate cost of site cleanup is difficult to predict given the uncertainties regarding the extent of the required cleanup, the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, and alternative cleanup methods. See also Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements.

Vishay GSI, Inc. (“VGSI”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a direct defendant in two separate, but related, litigation matters: (1) 101 Frost Street Associates, L.P. v. United States Department of Energy et al.; and (2) Hicksville Water District v. United States Department of Energy, et al.  VGSI was also a third-party defendant in a third related matter, United States v Island Transportation Corp. et al.  On September 12, 2022, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York dismissed all third-party complaints commenced by Island Transportation Corp. against nineteen third-party defendants including VGSI.  The two remaining cases are pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.  

The two remaining cases contain claims for recovery of response costs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), and allege that a predecessor’s manufacturing operations in Hicksville, New York (the “Site”), between 1960 and 1993, impacted groundwater beneath and downgradient of the Site.  The groundwater beneath and downgradient of the Site is part of the New Cassel/Hicksville Groundwater Contamination Site, which was added to the National Priorities List pursuant to CERCLA on September 15, 2011.  The Company is vigorously contesting plaintiff’s claims and will aggressively prosecute its affirmative claims.

VGSI was served in August 2023 with a complaint brought by the Hicksville Water District against multiple defendants.  The matter, Hicksville Water District v. Alsy Manufacturing, Inc., is pending in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Nassau.  As with two other previously reported cases pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the newest case contains claims for recovery of response costs under CERCLA, and alleges that a predecessor’s manufacturing operations in the Site, between 1960 and 1993, impacted groundwater beneath and downgradient of the Site.  VGSI is vigorously contesting plaintiff’s claims and will aggressively prosecute its affirmative claims.

On August 31, 2023, Vishay was notified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") of potential violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Solid Waste Disposal Act.  The alleged violations relate to the handling, storage, inspection, and labeling of hazardous waste at Vishay's facility located in Columbus, Nebraska.  Vishay has reached an agreement with the EPA, subject to execution of and finalization of the Consent Agreement, including the filing and ratification of the Consent Agreement, including the filing and ratification of the Consent Agreement by the Regional Hearing Clerk for EPA, Region 7, to settle this matter for a civil penalty of $387,000 and committing to submit quarterly compliance reports to the EPA for one year.  Vishay admits no violation of any law or regulation under the agreement.  The Company does not expect the matter or its settlement as proposed to have a material effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

None.

* Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.

Marc Zandman was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Business Development Officer effective June 5, 2011. Mr. Zandman has served as a Director of Vishay since 2001 and President of Vishay Israel Ltd. since 1998. Mr. Zandman previously was Vice Chairman of the Board from 2003 to June 2011, and Chief Administration Officer from 2007 to June 2011. Mr. Zandman was Group Vice President of Vishay Measurements Group from 2002 to 2004. Mr. Zandman has served in various other capacities with Vishay since 1984. He is the son of the late Dr. Felix Zandman, Vishay’s Founder. Mr. Zandman controls, on a shared basis with Ruta Zandman and Ziv Shoshani, approximately 35.0% of the total voting power of our capital stock as of December 31, 2023.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of Vishay Precision Group, Inc., an independent, publicly-traded company spun-off from Vishay Intertechnology in 2010 (including as non-executive Chair from 2010 - 2022).

Joel Smejkal was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2023.  Mr. Smejkal served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Business Development from 2020-2022.  He has held various positions of increasing responsibility since joining Vishay in 1990, including Executive Vice President, Business Head Passive Components (2017-2020) and Senior Vice President Global Distribution Sales (2012-2016). His experience with Vishay includes worldwide and divisional leadership roles in engineering, marketing, operations, and sales.

Lori Lipcaman was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective September 1, 2011.  Ms. Lipcaman had been appointed Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Accounting Officer in September 2008.  Previously, she served as Vishay’s Corporate Senior Vice President, Operations Controller, from March 1998 to September 2008.  Prior to that, she served in various positions of increasing responsibility in finance and controlling since joining the Company in May 1989.

Jeff Webster was appointed Executive Vice President - Chief Operating Officer effective January 1, 2023.  Mr. Webster served as Executive Vice President, Business Head Passive Components from 2020-2022. He has held various positions of increasing responsibility since joining Vishay in 2000, including Senior Vice President Global Quality (2014-2019) and Vice President Global Quality – Actives (2000-2014).  

Michael O'Sullivan was appointed Executive Vice President - Chief Administrative and Legal Officer effective January 1, 2024.  Mr. O’Sullivan previously served as Corporate General Counsel since joining the Company in 2012.  In July 2016, Mr. O'Sullivan was appointed Regional Country Manager - The Americas.  Prior to joining Vishay, Mr. O'Sullivan worked as an in-house corporate attorney for a subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., and in private practice at DLA Piper.

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VSH. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape for the indicated fiscal quarters. Holders of record of our common stock totaled approximately 1,000 at February 14, 2024. Because many of the shares of our common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of beneficial owners represented by these stockholders of record.

In 2014, the Company's Board of Directors instituted a quarterly cash dividend program and declared the first cash dividend in the history of Vishay. Quarterly cash dividends have been paid in each quarter since the first fiscal quarter of 2014.  We expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends, although the amount and timing of any future dividends remains subject to authorization of our Board of Directors.

The following table sets forth, for the indicated periods, the high and low sales prices of our common stock and the quarterly cash dividends declared.

At February 14, 2024, we had outstanding 12,097,148 shares of Class B common stock, par value $.10 per share, each of which entitles the holder to ten votes. The Class B common stock generally is not transferable except in certain very limited instances, and there is no market for those shares. The Class B common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into common stock on a share for share basis.  As a result of the passing of our founder and former Executive Chairman, Dr. Felix Zandman, Mrs. Ruta Zandman (a member of our Board of Directors) controls the voting of, solely or on a shared basis with Marc Zandman (our Executive Chairman) and Ziv Shoshani (a member of our Board of Directors) approximately 89.7% of our Class B common stock and 44.0% of the total voting power of our capital stock as of December 31, 2023.

Certain of our debt obligations contain restrictions as to the payment of cash dividends.  See "Financial Condition, Liquidity, and Capital Resources" included in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

In 2022, our Board of Directors adopted a Stockholder Return Policy that will remain in effect until such time as the Board votes to amend or rescind the policy.  The Stockholder Return Policy calls for us to return a prescribed amount of cash flows on an annual basis. We intend to return such amounts directly, in the form of dividends, or indirectly, in the form of stock repurchases.  We paid $55.6 million of dividends to stockholders and repurchased $78.7 million of our stock pursuant to the Stockholder Return Policy in 2023.

The following table provides information regarding repurchases of our common stock during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023:

Period		Total Number of Shares Purchased				Average Price Paid per Share (including commission)				Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program				Total Dollar Amount Purchased Under the Program				Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program
October 1 - October 28			254,985			$	23.92				254,985			$	6,099,333				1,023,839
October 29 - November 25			309,914				22.63				309,914				7,013,513				713,925
November 26 - December 31			336,540				23.50				336,540				7,910,080				2,877,385
Total			901,439			$	23.32				901,439			$	21,022,926				2,877,385

Stock Performance Graph

The line graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on Vishay’s common stock over a 5-year period with the returns on the Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Stock Index (of which Vishay is a component), the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index. The line graph assumes that $100 had been invested at December 31, 2018 and assumes that all dividends were reinvested.

Not applicable.

Item 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Management's Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to provide an understanding of Vishay's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows by focusing on changes in certain key measures from year to year. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes filed herewith, commencing on page F-1 of this report.  This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”

Overview

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. ("Vishay," "we," "us," or "our") manufactures one of the world’s largest portfolios of discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components that are essential to innovative designs in the automotive, industrial, computing, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, and medical markets.

We operate in six segments based on product functionality: MOSFETs, Diodes, Optoelectronic Components, Resistors, Inductors, and Capacitors.

We utilize several financial metrics, including net revenues, gross profit margin, segment operating income, end-of-period backlog, book-to-bill ratio, inventory turnover, change in average selling prices, net cash and short-term investments (debt), and free cash generation to evaluate the performance and assess the future direction of our business.  See further discussion in “Financial Metrics” and “Financial Condition, Liquidity, and Capital Resources” below.  The key financial metrics decreased in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2023 primarily due to the negative impacts of an on-going distributor inventory correction that resulted in lower orders.  Net revenues and margins decreased versus the prior year period primarily due to lower volume.

Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $3.402 billion, compared to net revenues of $3.497 billion and $3.240 billion for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.  Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $323.8 million, or $2.31 per diluted share, compared to $428.8 million, or $2.98 per diluted share, and $298.0 million, or $2.05 per share, for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

We define adjusted net earnings as net earnings determined in accordance with GAAP adjusted for various items that management believes are not indicative of the intrinsic operating performance of our business.  We define free cash as the cash flows generated from continuing operations less capital expenditures plus net proceeds from the sale of property and equipment.  The reconciliations below include certain financial measures which are not recognized in accordance with GAAP, including adjusted net earnings, adjusted earnings per share, and free cash.  These non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as alternatives to GAAP measures of performance or liquidity.  Non-GAAP measures such as adjusted net earnings, adjusted earnings per share, and free cash do not have uniform definitions.  These measures, as calculated by Vishay, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Management believes that adjusted net earnings and adjusted earnings per share are meaningful because they provide insight with respect to our intrinsic operating results.  Management believes that free cash is a meaningful measure of our ability to fund acquisitions, repay debt, and otherwise enhance stockholder value through stock repurchases or dividends.

Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 include items affecting comparability.  The items affecting comparability are (in thousands, except per share amounts):

The following table reconciles gross profit by segment to consolidated gross profit. Direct costs of the COVID-19 pandemic are not allocated to the segments as the chief operating decision maker's evaluation of segment performance does not include these costs (in thousands):

		Years ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2021
MOSFETS		$	259,386			$	274,498			$	189,959
Diodes			175,621				198,105				168,365
Optoelectronic Components			62,226				102,787				100,737
Resistors			238,428				262,072				215,853
Inductors			112,414				104,349				107,358
Capacitors			126,418				123,839				105,641
Unallocated gross profit (loss)			-				(6,661	)			-
Gross profit		$	974,493			$	1,058,989			$	887,913

Although the term "free cash" is not defined in GAAP, each of the elements used to calculate free cash is presented as a line item on the face of our consolidated statements of cash flows prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Our free cash results are as follows (in thousands):

Orders are lower due to a distributor inventory correction that began in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2022 and continued throughout 2023.  Our results for 2023 remained strong, although weaker than our 2022 results.

Stockholder Return Policy